Need Advise On Upgrading My System

i briefly owned the arcam 450--it was okay for 2 channel when unamped, but really improved when i amped the front channels with a good power amp (i believe it was the proceed amp2)--i'd try something similar before trading in your 550.

The AVR30 is about 5.5 lbs heavier than your AVR550, which would indicate a slightly larger/beefier power supply.  However, the output isn't significantly better, so ultimately you might get a very small amount of improvement, but I don't know that it would be $3,000 better, lol.  I would look at really nice external amplifier.  Just keep in mind that the sound may be different because the Arcam Class G has a very unique sound.

My question is to find out if I could achieve better sound quality by upgrading to an ARCAM 30 receiver.

NO!!! Frankly, I got to compare this AVR directly to a comparable Yamaha AVR, and the Yammy Aventage was better. That said, NO!!! Do the right thing by your nice speakers and just get a dedicated stereo integrated amp that mates well with your speakers. Route the front L/R preouts from your AVR into the integrated and you’ll be SO much better off (and likely for less $$$) than upgrading your AVR. AVRs are fatally compromised for 2-channel from the power supply on down, so going with a dedicated stereo preamp will be light years better than an AVR, and you won’t be sinking $$$ into better surround circuitry, etc. you probably aren’t looking for anyway. Just do it. Your speakers are too good to be compromised by an AVR. Just my $0.02 FWIW.

Sonic,

if I add a 2 channel amp to the ARCAM will I still be able to hear my TV when needed through my towers, center channel and 2 REL’s?  I have a 65” Sony on top of the entertainment cabinet so I can watch TV and movies.  We decided to turn the museum (living room) into a entertainment and music room.

if I were to add a 2 channel amp what would you recommend?  I was looking at Moon.  Also, would the ARCAM produce too much noise.?  The reason why I was looking at the ARCAM 3 is because it has their G Class amplification with a lot more power.  I viewed a video by Paul Mc Gowan with PS Audio and he talked about the importance of head room.  Since the ARCAM 3 already has built in surround and plenty of power I wonder if this extra power and headroom would make my Paradigm’s sound better.  A dealer in town told me to upgrade my speakers first because my ARCAM AVR 550 has plenty of power and it sound great.  I listened to a pair of Revel Performa’s and they sounded good.  Not sure how much better than my Paradigm’s.

if I add a 2 channel amp to the ARCAM will I still be able to hear my TV when needed through my towers, center channel and 2 REL’s?

Absolutely yes.  When you select the input on the stereo integrated (optimally the HT Bypass input if it has one) that the front L/R preouts from the AVR are connected to and that’s it — HT as normal.  Simple!  But obviously you want to hook your better stereo sources to the integrated (which is also the only amp connected to your front L/R speakers), and by doing it this way the AVR is completely out of the chain when playing more critical 2-channel music.  

if I were to add a 2 channel amp what would you recommend?  I was looking at Moon.  Also, would the ARCAM produce too much noise.?

I couldn’t say without knowing what sound characteristics you’re looking for.  Moon could be great if it has enough power and matches with your sonic preferences/tastes.  As mentioned above, the Arcam is completely out of the loop for 2-channel in this setup so its noise is a non issue.  Hope this helps clarify.